GlobeBull: Kaku Called to Paraguay Training by Osorio

New York Red Bulls midfielder Alejandro “Kaku” Romero Gamarra is one of six MLS players summoned to the Paraguayan national team by newly anointed and ex-Red Bull coach Juan Carlos Osorio. The other five are Miguel Almiron and Hector Villalba (Atlanta), Cristian Colman (Dallas), Jesus Medina (NYC) and Cristhian Paredas (Portland).

Paraguay does not have any matches scheduled for the October window, but since Osorio only took the helm on September 3rd, he wants to know what he is working with. This is Osorio’s ninth coaching position, but only second national team. He led Mexico for the last three and a half years to a record of 33-9-10 (W-D-L) and notably took down international giants, Germany, in the 2018 World Cup group stage 1-0 in Moscow. However, Osorio couldn’t break Mexico’s curse of the Round of 16 and crashed out against Brazil 2-0.

The October FIFA window runs the 8th through the 16th. The New York Red Bulls have matches on the 6th and 21st at San Jose and Philadelphia, respectively, so Kaku will not miss any club matches in order to participate in training with his new national team. In May, Kaku made his one-time FIFA switch from Argentina to Paraguay. He made his debut with his new side in June as a 59th minute substitute in a 4-2 loss to Japan.

Ironically, Paraguay’s next scheduled match is in Buenos Aires against Argentina on November 17th. If the Red Bulls advance to the MLS Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals, there will be another two-week gap between rounds. If Kaku receives a November call up, he will not miss any time with his team.